Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council. Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.
(a) To Chairmen/Vice-Chairmen of Committees
To receive answers in respect of questions from Members of the Council to the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council or the Chairman of any Committee or Sub-Committee asked in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules.
There are no items of business.
(b) To the Executive
To receive answers in respect of questions from Members of the Council to a Member of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules.
(1) Councillor A S Pollitt will ask the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“Would the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance consider setting up a cross-party committee to evaluate the future allocation of funds held in the District Regeneration and Economic Development Reserve?”
(2) Councillor P M Brivio will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“Does the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing consider that the tax changes introduced in the summer budget affecting "Buy to Let" landlords will have an impact on the supply of private rented accommodation in the Dover district, which is increasingly the only option for those in housing need?”
(3) Councillor M I Cosin will ask the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection, Councillor T J Bartlett:
“At a time when the United Kingdom is being investigated by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities over violations of disabled people's human rights, does the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection agree that this Council's procrastination over the updating of the toilets by Walmer Paddling Pool needs to be addressed urgently?”
(4) Councillor J Heron will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“Currently the mechanism that is now in place is that a House of Multiple Occupation is inspected only when its licence is up for renewal every 5 years. Would the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing agree with me that a more robust and stringent procedure is required to manage and make more accountable the landlords of Houses of Multiple Occupation?”
(5) Councillor P Walker will ask the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Training, Tourism, Voluntary Services and Community Safety, Councillor K E Morris:
“Will the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Training, Tourism, Voluntary Services and Community Safety specify how this Council's interests in Your Leisure are monitored?”
(6) Councillor D G Cronk will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“Given the Prime Minister's readiness to provide the assistance of the Number 10 Policy Unit to Oxfordshire County Council, does the Leader of the Council have any plans to seek similar assistance to combat the disastrous impact of Government cuts on this Council's services?”
(7) Councillor P J Hawkins will ask the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:
“With no change to the exterior of the former Regent Cinema and fears that summer 2016 will see the same neglected eyesore that has blighted our seafront for too many years, will the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning please tell this Council, and more importantly the residents, how close we are to receiving a viable planning application from the owners of the building?”
(8) Councillor S F Bannister will ask the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:
“Could the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning inform the Council how much this Council spent on street cleaning in each of the last 5 financial years and the percentage increase or decrease that these figures represent?”
(9) Councillor P J Hawkins will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“At a time of swingeing cuts to our NHS, and to mental health services in particular, how can this Council ensure through bodies such as the Health and Well-being Board that the needs of local residents with mental health conditions receive parity of treatment and services with those given to patients with physical conditions? This is something which the Prime Minister has said he wants to see but seems to give no indication on how this will be funded. In her response it would be helpful if the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Well-being could let the Council know whether she has any information on the finance question which may have been kept from the rest of us.”
(10) Councillor B Gardner will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“At the July meeting of this Council, it was agreed that there would be an additional meeting of the Licensing Committee to consider all the representations sent in with regard to the licensing policy consultation. However, this meeting did not take place. Can the Leader of the Council tell members who made the decision to overrule the Council's decision and on what grounds?”
(11) Councillor M R Eddy will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:
“Given that the sale of electric and ULEV cars has increased fourfold in the last year, could the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing outline the Council's policy regarding the installation of charging points?”
Minutes:
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12, Members of the Cabinet and the Chairman of the Licensing Committee responded to the following questions:
(1) Councillor A S Pollitt asked the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“Would the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance consider setting up a cross-party committee to evaluate the future allocation of funds held in the District Regeneration and Economic Development Reserve?”
In response the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins, advised that a cross-party committee would not be set-up and the allocation of funds would be made through the Medium Term Financial Plan as normal, which would be subject to the scrutiny process.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor A S Pollitt exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(2) Councillor P M Brivio asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“Does the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing consider that the tax changes introduced in the summer budget affecting "Buy to Let" landlords will have an impact on the supply of private rented accommodation in the Dover district, which is increasingly the only option for those in housing need?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing advised that it was difficult at this stage to predict what impact, if any, the changes would have on ‘Buy to Let’ landlords and the supply of privately rented housing in the district.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P M Brivio exercised her right to ask one supplementary question to which the Portfolio Holder advised that a written reply would be provided.
(3) Councillor M I Cosin asked the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection, Councillor T J Bartlett:
“At a time when the United Kingdom is being investigated by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities over violations of disabled people's human rights, does the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection agree that this Council's procrastination over the updating of the toilets by Walmer Paddling Pool needs to be addressed urgently?”
The Chairman and Councillor M I Cosin agreed that this question had already been answered under public questions.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor M I Cosin exercised her right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(4) Councillor J Heron asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“Currently the mechanism that is now in place is that a House of Multiple Occupation is inspected only when its licence is up for renewal every 5 years. Would the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing agree with me that a more robust and stringent procedure is required to manage and make more accountable the landlords of Houses of Multiple Occupation?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing advised that the inspection of HMOs was undertaken at the time of the licence application/renewal with follow-up inspections undertaken where improvement works were required or concerns arose. The government was currently consulting on widening the scope of the legislation.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor J Heron exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(5) Councillor P Walker asked the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Training, Tourism, Voluntary Services and Community Safety, Councillor K Morris:
“Will the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Training, Tourism, Voluntary Services and Community Safety specify how this Council’s interests in Your Leisure are monitored?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection, Councillor T J Bartlett, advised that the Council’s relationship with Your Leisure was based on the individual property leases for the leisure centres, Town Hall and Paddling Pool underpinned by funding agreements for each site. Officers met with Your Leisure regularly to review operational and performance matters.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P Walker exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(6) Councillor D G Cronk asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“Given the Prime Minister’s readiness to provide the assistance of the Number 10 Policy Unit to Oxfordshire County Council, does the Leader of the Council have any plans to seek similar assistance to combat the disastrous impact of Government cuts on this Council’s services?”
In response the Leader of the Council advised that he did not have such plans.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor D G Cronk exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(7) Councillor P J Hawkins asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:
“With no change to the exterior of the former Regent Cinema and fears that summer 2016 will see the same neglected eyesore that has blighted our seafront for too many years, will the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning please tell this Council, and more importantly the residents, how close we are to receiving a viable planning application from the owners of the building?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning advised that the Council’s Planning Department had been in discussion with the Regent’s owner in regard to proposals for the site and its current condition. A final planning application was expected before Christmas with the expectation of works in the spring to improve the external appearance of the building.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P J Hawkins exercised her right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(8) Councillor S F Bannister asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:
“Could the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning inform the Council how much this Council spent on street cleaning in each of the last 5 financial years and the percentage increase or decrease that these figures represent?”
In response the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning advised the figures for street cleansing expenditure for each year from 2010/11 to 2015/16. It was noted that the figure for 2015/16 was the figure in the current budget.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor S F Bannister exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(9) Councillor P J Hawkins asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“At a time of swingeing cuts to our NHS, and to mental health services in particular, how can this Council ensure through bodies such as the Health and Well-being Board that the needs of local residents with mental health conditions receive parity of treatment and services with those given to patients with physical conditions? This is something which the Prime Minister has said he wants to see but seems to give no indication on how this will be funded. In her response it would be helpful if the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Well-being could let the Council know whether she has any information on the finance question which may have been kept from the rest of us.”
In response the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing advised that the specific details of mental health budgets formed part of the Chancellor’s Spending Review.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P J Hawkins exercised her right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.
(10) Councillor B Gardner asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“At the July meeting of this Council, it was agreed that there would be an additional meeting of the Licensing Committee to consider all the representations sent in with regard to the licensing policy consultation. However, this meeting did not take place. Can the Leader of the Council tell members who made the decision to overrule the Council's decision and on what grounds?”
In response, the Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor P S Le Chevalier advised that having received legal advice from the Solicitor to the Council that the implementation of recommendations (c) and (d) of Minute No. 32 of the Council meeting held on 22 July 2015 would be unlawful and expose the Licensing Policy to significant risk of legal challenge, he had taken the decision not to call an additional meeting of the Licensing Committee to consider the licensing policy. This was due to the provisions of s.7(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 which required the Council to discharge the function of determining the statement of licensing policy and to involve the Licensing Committee would require it to assume functions outside of those ascribed to it by the law. A copy of this advice had been provided to the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor B Gardner, and the leaders of the 3 political groups.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor B Gardner exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which the Chairman of the Licensing Committee advised that a reply would be provided subsequent to the meeting.
(11) Councillor M R Eddy asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:
“Given that the sale of electric and ULEV cars has increased fourfold in the last year, could the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing outline the Council's policy regarding the installation of charging points?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing advised that the Council did not have a policy for the installation of charging points for electric and ULEV cars as the low usage levels in the district did not justify the expense involved. This usage of dual fuel and electric vehicles in the district would continue to be monitored and if appropriate the issue would be revisited.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor M R Eddy exercised his right to ask one supplementary question to which a verbal answer was given.